Background: The aim of this study was to add to the data on associations between occupation and bladder cancer thereby strengthening the case for focused research on specific occupational categories.
Methods: Two hundred two cases and 390 controls participated in this population-based case-control study. Age, sex, smoking, and education adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for each occupation by unconditional logistic regression.
Results: The occupational group of domestic helpers, cleaners, and launderers exhibited a significantly elevated risk of bladder cancer. Elevated non-significant risks (OR > 1.5) were observed for painters and varnishers, electronic equipment assemblers, general laborers, building finishers, carpenters and joiners, architects and engineers, and textile and garment workers.
Conclusions: This study suggests that domestic helpers, cleaners, and launderers probably experience an increased risk of bladder cancer. Although no other occupations showed significantly increased risks, the non-significantly elevated risks for painters, carpenters, and textile workers could be confirmed by results from earlier studies.